Covering structure



`ment- M lvious to moisture` the bond is protectedy Patented May 9, 1933 STATES BOZ-IER FINLEY, OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNQB T0 THEA PARAFFINE COM- PANIES, INC., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF DEI.-.AVVAREy COVEBING STRUCTURE Application filed February 2, 1931. Serial No. 512,653.

My invent-ion relates to a covering structure for pervious bases, and particularly to such a structure for covering surfaces eX- posed to moisture, such as concrete ieors.

It is among the objects of my invention to prevent the moisture that percolates through a pervious base from wetting and subsequently rotting the top covering mate- A further object of my invention isto provide a protective layer on a moisture pervious base, to which a top covering may be permanently bonded.

The invention possesses other objects and `i5 features of advantage,some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to Vthis disclosure of species of my invention,

as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

. Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sect-ional view showing the coveringstructure embodying my invention; and

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are similar views showing modifications of the covering structure embodying my invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a device for lixing the sheets to a base; and

Figure 6 is a similar view showing another modification of my invention. Y

Broadly stated, the covering structure embodying my invention comprises a protective layer interposed between a top covering and a moisture pervious base; linoleum and concrete being examples of such coverings and bases. The protective layer is of moisture impervious material, v preferably a corrosion and oxidation resistant metal. The metallic sheets are preferably suitably secured tothe base, and the top covering is preferably Vbonded to the metallic protective layer `by a suitable adhesive, suchas a bituminous ce,- Since the protective layer is imperagainst destructive agencies operating from below` Furthermore, since tli sheets are preferably corrosion and omdainetallic tion resistant, the protective layer will not deteriorate. Consequently, means are provided for permanently securing a covering over a moisture pervious base.

In greater detail, Figure 1 shows the simplest embodiment of my invention, in which a protective layer, comprising the abutting sheets 2, is laid on a base,` such as the concrete floor slab 3, to form a moisture impervious shield for a covering Il. These sheets are preferably of a corrosion and oxidation resistant metal, such as stainless, rustless, or

ygalvanized iron; lead; Zinc; aluminum; copper; brass; or other alloys. Certain nonmetallic substances are also satisfactory, providing that the material is corrosion and oXidation resistant and does not otherwise deteriorate with age. Glass is an example Yof such material, but its application is different, and is therefore covered in a copending application Serial No. 512,852, filed February 2, 1931. An important feature of the metallic sheets is that they may be in a dexible form; this feature aiding materially in handling the sheets and facilitating in laying the sheets on a base.

If considerable moisture is encountered the butt joint-s 6 of the sheets 2 may be soldered or welded; and, if the floor is rough, a leveling layer 7 of cementitious material, such .as a cement mortar, may be applied to the floor 'beneath' the sheets. The topcovering t may be of 'any suitable material, suoli as linoleum`j and is preferably cemented to the sheets 2 by a suitable adhesive 8, such as a bituminous cement.

Y In'Figure 2 is shownanother method of applying the sheets, in which lthe edges 9 of the vsheets are overlapped. The spaces formed beneath the overlapping sheets are preferably filled with a` ceinentitious material 11, suchas a mortar of Portland cement, in order to provide a level top surface. If very thin sheets are employed the cementi- 'tious material 11 may be omit-ted. This is determined, of course, by whether or not the overlapping edges would be sufficient to break a coveringmaterial such as linoleum, orwhether or not `the slight ridges caused wouldv be undesirable.V The overlapping Yen edges 9 may be soldered or welded to form a moisture tight joint.

In Figure 3, a strip 12 is inserted beneath the joint 6, to permit a better soldered, or welded, joint to be made than the construction of Figure 1 permits. Here again cementitious material 9 is shown beneath the sheets; it being obvious that this iillingnmaterial may be omitted in the case of thin sheets.

Figure l shows two layers of abutting sheets, with the butt joints 6 in staggered relationship in the two layers; These j ointsf may be soldered, or welded, to eect a very impervious covering. This construction naturally oiiers a smooth surface for the covering A, providing the slab 3 is smooth., or has been leveled by applying suitable materials.

In underground rooms or other locations where conditions of moisture eX-ist it may be desirable to apply the covering structure embodying my invention to the wal-ls and ceilings as well as the floors. In this event clamp means are provided` for securing the metal sheets. As shown in Figure 5,.a trough 18 with the projections 14 is preferably imbedded in the concrete slab 3 to provvide a workable foundation. and suitable spaced blocks k16 are preferably welded into the bottom of the trough. A clamping bar 17 is pulled down into the-trough by means of screws 18 threaded into the blocks 16 to compress the edges of the sheets 2 against outward turned upper edges 19 of the trough. The heads of these screws are preferably counter-sunk into the clamping bar, so that a smooth surface; willy be presented; tothe covering material 4. Since the exterior surface of the trough is unbroken this forms a water-tight joint.

A trough will of course be employed for a` given installation wherever it is necessary to fasten down the sheets, as in. corners, and along the edges of strips. If very long runs must be made transverse troughs may also be employed to join the ends of strips.V This will necessitate a cross joint inV the trough, whichmay be readily built up by forming a welded miter joint as the troughs are placed. f

In Figure 6 a variant type of imbedded fastening is shown. A bar 21, with the projectionsl 22 is imbedded in the concrete slab .3

toprovide anchoring means. The bar is suit- Y in warehouses,piers, loading platforms,.ma

chine shops, et cetera, wear away quite rapidly. Accordingly, a-suitablecovering, prefer'- ably plastic surface covering comprising a bituminous treated fibrous sheet, such as described in United States Patent- No.

F 1,610,019, is frequently employed to resist this surface wear. Considerable difficulty is encountered, however, in maintaining the bond between the top covering and a moisture pervious base, when the surface of the base is continually wet with moisture. t is believed that the bond is destroyed by chemical agents such as alkali reacting with the bonding material 'to loosen the covering, or by dissolved salts carried up thru the base and deposited under the covering to raise the covering and break the bond, or both.

An interposed protective layer of metal will prevent such occurrence, because it is practically completely impervious to moisture. Furthermore, the protective layer of metal is preferably corrosion and oxidation resistant; therefore, the protective layer itself will not deteriorate, and means are provided for permanently seaming the covering over v a moisture pervious base. As an additional '85' reinforcement, a foraminated sheet, such as the screen V26, may be fixed to the sheets 2by the spacing bars 27. This screen provides an additional mechanical bond for uniting a covering 28 to the Vsheets 2. For the purposes 90 of illustration, the covering 28 is shown comprising a bituminous treated fibrous sheet similar to the plastic pavement described in the patent above referred to. i'

' I claim:

1. A covering structure for iioors, pavements, and the like comprising a base,a smooth-surfaced layer of corrosion and oXidation resistant sheet metal overlying saidl base, and a fibrous covering bonded to said metal layer by a bituminous cement.

2. A covering vstructure forioors, pavelments, andthelike comprising a'base, a plurality of abutting metallicl sheets vcovering-Y said baseand presenting aismooth surface, metallic seam strips underlying the abutting portions of said sheets, and a fibrous covering bonded to saidV sheets. Y

3. A covering structure for floors, pave-V \1nents,and the like comprising a base, a plu- 110 rality ofy .layers off metallic sheets covering said base and presenting a smooth surface, the sheets in each layer abutting and breakingjoints withthe sheets-in an adjacent layer, 1 and a fibrous covering bonded tosaid sheets.

4. A covering structure for floors, pavements,]and the llike comprising a base, a metallic -sheet overlying said base, and a bituminous treated fibroussheet adhesively secured directly to said metallic sheet.

5. AV covering structure comprising a base, a metallic sheet secured to said base, a foraminated sheetfsecuredv to said metallic sheet, and a'brous covering overlying said sheets VVand adhesively secured to the metallicjsheet Vby a bituminous cement, said foraminated sheet being embedded in the cement to reinforce the bond between said fibrous covering and said metallic sheet.

6. A covering structure for floors, pave- 13 ments and the like comprising a base, a plurality of abutting metallic sheets covering said base and presenting a smooth surface, and a linoleum sheet adhesively secured directly to the smooth surface of said metal sheets.

7. A covering structure for ioors, walls, pavements and the like comprising a base, a plurality of metallic sheets covering said base, clamp means secured in said base and engaging the edges of adjacent metallic sheets to secure said metallic sheets to said base, said sheets and clamp means presenting a smooth surface, and a ibrous covering adhesively secured to said surface.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set m hand.

y DOZIER FINLEY. 

